A promise on The Last Day...

Wicked NOT Dead: A True Blood Fan Fiction Chapter 9

CHAPTER 9

REBECCA

Sookie grabbed onto Rebecca's arm and pulled her away from the crowd by the dance floor. The fierceness of the move was lost on everyone but Rebecca as the music started back up and they all went back to drinking, dancing and being merry. She found herself being harshly lead through her guests and up the front steps and into the house. 

" What the HELL are you doing?" Sookie let go of her arm with a toss and slammed the door. 

Rebecca was taken aback at being yelled at and her first thought was to yell back but whatever was bothering Sookie was not  going to get solved by both of them being loud. So instead she counted to ten and then asked " What are you talking about Sookie?" 

" Out there... do you know what was going through his mind? Do you have any idea how upset he is? What kind of game are you playing Rebecca cause let me tell you I won't let you hurt him. I won't sit by and watch him get trampled on he don't deserve that?" Sookie's finger was way to close to Rebecca's face. It took all she had not to bite it off. 

" Sookie I am going to assume that you are not talking about dancing with Jesus as we both know he is no threat to anything going on between me and.." She paused " I am also assuming you are talking about Alcide?" 

" You know what happens when you assume but this time you'd be right on" Sookie's nostrils were flaring and she was pacing back and forth around her. 

" Well the only one being an ass at the moment is you. So calm down and tell me what it is you are talking about" 

A fire blazed in Sookie's eye. She did not like being talked down to or called out when she thought she was in the right. It just made her madder. 

" Don't talk to me like that, you don't know me well enough to talk to me like that" Again with the finger. Rebecca sighed and in a blink had it in in her hand. 

" Sookie keep your finger out of my face cause honey you don't know me well enough to do that either" She gently placed Sookie's hand back to her side. 

They stood staring at each other for quite a while. Neither of them willing to let the other one off the hook. Rebecca knew that Sookie was a proud woman full of fire and she admired that but she was not going to be walked all over by anyone for any reason. 

" You calm enough to continue this conversation rationally?" she went and sat down on the bottom step of her staircase. " I am not going to fight with you Sookie but I do want to know what it is that pissed you off"

Sookie turned and looked at her. She started to speak but stopped. She had expected a fight. She didn't know exactly what to do without the screaming and yelling. It had become a way of life for her. Rebecca had surprised her. These days that was hard to do. Sookie's squared shoulders relaxed and with a sigh of her own she plopped down on the step next to her. 

" He knows about what happened with my brother" 

" I know I saw him" Rebecca heard his howl in her head. 

" It hurts him" Sookie felt for her friend. 

" I know that to." Rebecca saw flashes of it in his eyes whenever they were together. 

" Why did you do it? You got me to get Sam and you got out of there. I knew what my brother was thinking and I thought that you had gotten away. And then I saw it on his face and I couldn't believe it"  Sookie was mad but not just at her. Her brother was always fucking things up. 

" Don't blame him Sookie. He showed up at my door but I didn't have to let him in. What happened between your brother and I was a one time thing. It was stupid, fueled by booze and on my part loneliness. Your brother well most his nights are spent like that." She bumped Sookie and she smiled. 

 " I hate that Alcide saw. I hate that it is causing him to be cautious with me. But even if he hadn't been there that night" Rebecca raised her hands to the heavens. " and who knows why he was there Sookie. I wish I could ask him what had brought him back that night but I can't cause he doesn't want to let me in on his secret. Even though he knows in his heart that I know already. He just can't make himself say it.  Seeing me with Jason it just another excuse not to let me in. I don't think that even if he didn't see us together he would be going full speed ahead. He is skittish and untrusting and not ready." 

Sookie nodded " You know what happened between him and Debbie?" 

" Yes he told me and of course I've picked up a few things here and there."

" She's a heartless junkie cunt" Rebecca couldn't help but chuckle at Sookie's way with words.

" So I hear but Sookie you know she is dangerous. She's been hanging round here watching you." Sookie's eyes grew wide.

" I figured she was lurking round in the dark. She attacked me once before." Sookie went back to that night. She was still cleaning up the mess left behind. 

" William told me. Now Sookie you got to promise me not to go looking for trouble with Debbie. I know your a tough cookie and can handle yourself but I don't want her making a meal out of you. So if you see her don't engage her. Just pull out that shot gun you have in the hall closet and blow her face off" Rebecca gave her an evil grin.

" You telling me to shoot to kill Rebecca?"

" Dog eat dog world we live in Sookie. She won't give you a moments thought if she gets the chance." Sookie knew she was right. " Besides she may be watching me more than you at this point. She followed Alcide's scent here the other night"

" Alcide stayed over?" Sookie's gap toothed grin displayed itself " Here?" 

" We had an early delivery" Rebecca felt a blush start to spread across her cheeks. Sookie was still grinning. " What?"

" This was after Jason?"

" Yep he was mad, went away for a couple of days and when he returned he found me all bloody and forgot about it. Well at least for the moment. Guess it will continue to run around his head every time he sees me with your brother or anyone for that matter."

Sookie agreed Alcide was unlikely to forget giving his history. " Rebecca why were you bloody?"

" Kitchen accident. It's no big deal. I'm as good as new" She shrugged away any further questions about that subject. She took a look at Sookie who seemed to have more to say. " Spit it out. What else did you see or hear?" 

" He doesn't understand why he feels the way he does? He keeps thinking that he will wake up and shake you off but he can't. He's drawn to you, even dreams about you at night. But in his dreams he is a wolf and your a little girl. Does that make sense?" 

It made all the sense in the world to her. She put her hand to her mouth as if she were pondering in order to hide her shock and to keep the sob from escaping. Was it memory or transference? She never knew for sure if Alcide was actually there with her in the dreamworld. Knowing that he was dreaming of their time together made her think that he had been.

 " Maybe he thinks a younger me would be more excepting of what he is." was her response to Sookie. 

Sookie thought that was as good an explanation as anything. 

" Whatever it is he's got you on the brain all hours. Can't imagine he's not gonna break soon. Man can't keep fighting feelings like he has for you. He's gonna have to let it out." Sookie gave Rebecca a look of pity. " I don't think it will be pretty when he explodes. Been holding a shit load inside him. Don't think it will just be what you've added that's gonna get spit out at you" 

"Your probably right Sookie. I will have to prepare myself for the firestorm. Men can't live with um...." 

Sookie finished her thought.

" Can't shoot um either. Especially me since all my men would just stand back up and keep coming" They both laughed. 

" Been there done that myself and you are so right." She and Sookie shared a history with Vampire lovers. She had hoped that in telling some of her tale that morning in Sookie's kitchen that it would help her new friend. But Sookie's mind was still filled with sadness. She was lonely and worried that she wasn't going to find the right one. 

" Sookie" Rebecca wanted to say something to make her feel better but she also knew that sugar coating it wasn't going to do any good either. 

" It's never easy to let go of your lovers and the first one is always the killer. You have all these expectations and ideals about what love is and how a relationship is supposed to go. That he will always be honest with you and there for you when you need him and when it ends you realize that all of that was just school girl fantasy bullshit. It's been ingrained in your head since you were a kid in books and movies. Love stories that last a lifetime and always have a happy ending but Happy Endings are not so easy to come by in the real world. You have to work for them and so many people don't want to bother putting in that work. I know right now everything that happened between you and William is raw and painful. I'm not going to even and patronize you and say that in time it will all get better. Cause from my experience it will be with you in some way forever. You will always look back on this relationship and the mistakes that you made and the hurt that he caused you. Every time you have a fight or you catch your next lover in a lie you will wonder if you are making the same mistakes. It is human nature to carry around the ghosts of your past. But Sookie I tell you this, also from experience you can't live your life trapped within your sadness. I've been alone for a long time because held so much pain inside me that I didn't want to know any more. Didn't think that I could handle any more loss and I punished myself for my mistakes. Eventually Sookie you are going to have to let it go. You are going to have to give yourself another chance to love again. You are to young to hide that light under a bushel. But for now Sookie. Let yourself feel. Don't hold it inside just because you think you need to be strong. You will be stronger later when all the pain and mistrust has washed away with those tears." She leaned in to Sookie who was wiping away tears. She wasn't sure how Sookie felt about being touched so she asked her permission before putting her arm around her shoulders and pulling her in. 

" Your stronger than you know Sookie Stackhouse and as complicated as things are you will get through this" 

Sookie shed a few more tears and then with a sniffle and a smile said  " You know he doesn't really have any right to be mad at you. Your not his girl. Your free to be with who you like." Sookie hated any man thinking they owned the woman in their lives. " And you've only known each other a week."

Rebecca closed her eyes and shaking her head " Yeah well that may be so but that would be logical and whatever is going on between he and I is far from logical." 

" He's gotten to you bad to hum?"

" The worst case of love at first sight that I have ever come across" She looked around her. " This place finally brought him to me" 

Rebecca lost herself in her own memories for a moment. The four walls surrounding her had always moved her and with each passing year they had brought her closer to them. If she had known that her wolf would be just down the road she would have never let anyone keep her from it. But fate and time have their reasons. She knew she should just be thankful that the heavens alined and brought them together now. The Goddess works in mysterious ways. She smiled up at the ceiling and sent a piece of her happiness up to the sky. The low lights in the house flickered and danced letting her know the message had been received. 

" You ready to go back to the party?" She asked Sookie.

" Sure I'm kind of starving."

" Well all that anger will work up an appetite. Let's go get something to eat. I haven't touched much of what's been cooking out there today."

They headed to the door and Rebecca held it open for Sookie to go through but she didn't go out. Instead she sent Rebecca a mental FUCK ME. 

What is it? She sent back. She looked around the door and what she saw made her go a couple shades whiter than usual. Eric and Pam were standing on her front porch. Pam was trying to look bored but inside was screaming for time alone with Rebecca and Eric only had eyes for Sookie. His features were tight and his eyes cold but still he smoldered and she could feel the heat between the two of them. She pushed her way in front of Sookie breaking the contact between her and Eric. She reached back and gave Sookie's hand a squeeze and told her to let her handle this. 

"Mr Northman, Pamela. I wasn't expecting either of you this evening. What brings you to Belle Vita?"

Eric looked at her dismissively " Pamela informed me you were throwing a party. It seemed rather rude of you not to invite us. So we came anyway." He tried to look around her at Sookie. 

Rebecca's eyes narrowed but only for a second. Pamela stood just out of her sire's eye range. She shook her head. " He came here to see Sookie. He won't stop until he does so let him". She didn't respond to Pam's silent plea in any way. But the message had been heard. 

When Rebecca spoke next her voice rose in pitch to match his dismissal with her condescension. " Well I assure you Mr Northman I fully intended to invite Pamela. You, well I figured you would be far to busy doing Sheriff stuff to come to a lowly human gathering. Apparently I was wrong on that count." She smirked and cocked her head to the side. 

" Well you can remedy your slight by inviting us in." Eric's eyes gleamed evilly and his grin grew wide. He both threatened and challenged her in the same sentence. She risked making a bigger enemy of him if she didn't let him in and if she did he would likely try to kill her. But despite his overtures his mind was not on revenge for the other night. No he wanted to talk to Sookie and for some reason thought this was the proper night and venue to make another attempt. 

She asked Sookie what she wanted her to do. 

"Let him in. He ain't gonna leave without causing a fuss. If he's in here he can say his peace and get the hell out"  Sookie's breathing came heavily behind her.

" Keep the situation under your control Sookie. I don't want any trouble here. You understand?"  She turned and caught Sookie's gaze. She nodded her understanding and then Rebecca with mental get your ass over here to Mason said,

 " By all means then Eric, Pamela do come in" She swept her arm across the threshold and the two vampires made their way inside. 

She felt Mason slip in the back door and wait. Somewhere outside she felt William catch on " Do not come anywhere near here Mr. Compton. You will make this worse and I will stake you for it"  William did not come inside but he did attach himself to the side of the house close enough to listen and be at the ready.

She heard Eric start to talk to Sookie softly. After a minute she asked " May we go into the living room for a moment Rebecca?" Rebecca nodded and sent Sookie a warning.

 " One false move and I will resend the invitation. You just give me the word."

As Sookie closed the doors to the living room she saw understanding and mistrust on Sookie's face. " I will holler if I need you but keep your eye on Pam she can be just as bad if not worse than Eric"

Pamela was working her way around the room looking over the the work that had been done. " You got a pack of mutts working on this house with Mason's men?" She wrinkled up her nose. 

Rebecca's look must have spoken for her since Pam held up her hands and did not keep the wolf as dog comments coming. " They do good work. Hard as fuck to find people who do good work these days."

"Glad you approve Pamela. You can't imagine how much that means means to me" She leaned against the nearest wall and put her arms across her chest. 

" Why all the sarcasm Rebecca?" Pam looked like she might actually be a bit wounded.

" You brought the devil to my door Pam and that doesn't make me happy to see you. After last week I'd hoped you be smarter than this"

 " After last week your lucky he didn't bring a fucking army with him. Pulling that shit on his own turf. In front of witnesses. He never expected anyone to get the better of him like that." She couldn't believe that he hadn't gone after Rebecca. In fact he had hardly mentioned what had happened that night and when he did his voice was filled more with admiration that distain.

" What exactly did you expect me to do Pam?" She seethed. " Let him kill me? I would never let that happen Pamela. It would not have mattered the time or the place or who the hell was in the room I'd have done exactly the same thing. And if anyone else would have wanted a taste I'd have given it to them to. Eric may not like to be fucked with but neither do I."

Pamela put her hands on her hips and laughed 

" You are no longer a child and every bit of you is a product of your genetic make up. A Beniot- Keane. Your Mother and Aunt probably piss their pants with pride"

" Pride is not the word for it" Rebecca muttered. 

" Whaaaat? Are you telling me that you have given your family problems?" She put her hand to her chest in mock shock "Never would have guessed that." She rolled her eyes and took a look at her long pink nails.

" Perhaps my rebellious streak was caused by spending to much time with you as a child Pamela." One thing she did learn from Pam was to not take shit from anyone.

" If I in anyway had a hand in this" She moved her hands up and down in Rebecca's direction " Then it is me who is prideful." Pam walked towards the dining room her white stiletto heels clicking across the wood floor.

 " Rebecca?" she stopped and Rebecca noticed that the hand she placed on the door jam was full of tension. Pamela had been charged with finding out what Rebecca was capable of. But she was torn on how exactly to extract the information. Ask or attack. She didn't think Rebecca would just offer up the information but she also didn't want to end up like Eric the other night. There was way to much dirt in the room and Pam hated to get dirty.

 Rebecca decided to save Pam from making the choice. She focused her attention on the lights scattered around the dinning room. As they slowly dimmed she called on fire to light the candles sitting on the fireplace mantle. The breeze she conjured made them flicker and dance and then she had it whisper Pamela's name. The ground under their feet began to shake and the wood creaked a rhythmic tune. Soon there was not an object around them that was not moving. All of them within her control doing precisely what she wanted them to. Rebecca had not moved from her spot on the wall. Pam had not turned around and her body had remained perfectly still. But Rebecca knew she watched the sight with wonder. She called for one of the candles and as it made it's way past Pam, she turned and watched as it came to Rebecca and then when nothing but the light of the candle illuminated the room and the features of Rebecca's mischievous face she blew the candle out. She released the elements with her thanks.

When the lights came back on Pam was standing right next to her " Impressive" she said " I do not want to know any more?" she raised a finely arched eyebrow. 

"No, nor do I intend to say anything more." Rebecca replied.

Pam nodded. " Very well." They understood each other. Pam would have something to report and it was enough to squelch any other questions. 

 Pam had witnessed the previous generations powers and while her display could be considered a parlor trick Pam felt the room hum and listen and move just as Rebecca wanted and expected it to. She had seen enough to know that she didn't want to know any more. It would put her in the position of referee and Pam did enough of that already.

  From the other room came raised voices and then a crash. Rebecca and Pam looked at each other. Pam sighed as Rebecca went to the double doors and flinging them open marched in the room. Eric had one of Sookie's wrists in a death grip and they were staring each other down. 

"Let go of her Mr. Northman" a chair lay on it's side between them on the floor. Rebecca could read both of them and didn't like the vibe in the room. 

Sookie's controlled voice called out a reply " I'm fine Rebecca. I can handle this." Sookie looked at her pleadingly. " It's not what you think. He didn't hurt me. Please I can take care of myself"

" My home my rules." She said to Sookie." Now I ask you once again let her go" Her voice was more forceful than before. 

" This is not your concern. It would be best if you left." He did not even bother to look at her as he said it.

Rebecca's eyes grew wide and the anger welled inside her. He was in her home, manhandling a woman and he wasn't listening to her.

 " Let her go NOW" still he did not remove his hand so Rebecca removed it for him. The all watched as Eric lost all control of his hand as one by one Rebecca removed his fingers from Sookie's wrist. She sent a rush of pain through him with each digit causing Eric to wince and snarl. Once freed fangs fell and his movements became blurred as he charged at her. 

But he never touched her, he was intercepted by yet another blur, Mason. Rebecca held Pam in place as the two wrestled around the room the fight ending with Eric hitting the far wall Mason's forearm firmly placed under his neck. Eric hissed and tried to break free his desire now on revenge and dismemberment.

 " Boy I am older than you by thousands of years and killing you would be both easy and a pleasure." He dug his elbow deeper into Eric's throat. " It is apparent that you are devoid of manners and are not worthy of the invitation you were extended this evening, Nor does it seem you know how to properly treat a lady but let me assure you Mr. Northman you will never lay your hand on another woman when I am in the vicinity. And since you also seem to have a problem hearing people when they talk to you I want to make sure that there is no misunderstanding between you and I. Your title means nothing to me do you understand what I am saying to you?" Eric defiant to the end refused to back down. Rebecca sent a searing pain through his head. Eric screamed. 

"Rebecca" Mason turned slightly to eye her. 

She didn't stop until Eric finally relented and nodded his head in agreement. "It worked now didn't it?" She gleefully bit her lip. 

"Perhaps but you didn't give my way much of a chance now did you? Stop adding fuel to the fire" Mason let Eric go but stayed close in case Eric decided to be stupid. 

There was much she wanted to say at that moment more pain that she would have liked to inflict but as she felt the mood around her and thought the better of it. 

"Mr. Northman I resend my invitation" Eric moved swiftly backward through the room and out the door she opened for him. Once clear of the porch Rebecca gave Eric one last push by calling the breeze and flinging him high into the air. To anyone else it would have looked like Eric had taken off of his own free will. Only Rebecca saw the look on Eric's face as he disappeared into the night. 

"Oh hell he has the keys" Pam stood on the porch looking more annoyed at being stranded that the fact her sire was just tossed out on his ass.  

" What the hell was all that?" she asked. Sookie stood mouth agape next to Pam.

" Sorry Sookie. I told you there was no leeway. You can handle that situation your way in your space but here, no matter the situation I wasn't going to be okay with him putting his hands on you" She shrugged and tossed Pamela the keys she had taken from Eric's pocket as he went past her. 

" Thanks" Pam came down the steps and stopping in front of her she said.

" I'd forgotten how much fun an evening with you could be" She smiled and walked down the drive to Eric's car. 

She and Mason watched as she drove away. 

" You really know how to throw a party love" He put his arm around her shoulders. She leaned into him and let him lead her back towards the house. Sookie stood there waiting. 

" Now are you going to tell me what he hell just happened in that living room?"

" That is all you" Mason said silently removing himself from her side and heading toward the back of the house. He had to deal with William who was seething right out of sight.

She walked up the steps took her new friend by the arm and did the best she could to explain.

ALCIDE

                                                                                                                                           

     He walked away from the party and it's noise making his way down the garden path into the woods. He was trying to clear his head which was filled with nothing but her. Every thought lead back to her. He could concentrate on nothing else. He'd watched intently as she danced across the floor with Jesus and his heart had jumped when she had caught his eye at the end giving him a hopeful smile. He couldn't go to her, so while the crowd roared around him he had walked away. He needed silence and the further he walked the more quiet his surroundings became. He made it to the clearing and stood in the spot Rebecca and Mason had stood the week before. Again right back to her. He sighed and sat down on the log that overlooked the water. He had gone looking for her right before dark, worried that he hadn't seen her in a while. He had found her with Jason. He had watched from the side of the house. The way he moved into her, the way she responded. He'd turned away when Jason's arms wrapped around her waist. He couldn't stand the idea of watching him kiss her again. But whatever had taken place between them hadn't lasted more than a minute. He had just gotten back to Sookie when Rebecca and Mason's crew had made their way to the party. Jason was no where to be found. Mason had caught his eye and motioned for him to come forward. He listened as Rebecca gave her speech watching the crowds reaction. Heard her hope for acceptance when speaking of her Vampire friends and the joy when she spoke his name and how much it meant to her for him and his men to be there. He waited at the bottom of the steps to speak to her. He wanted to get her alone. He had questions he needed answered. But Crawfish had grabbed her attention first. 

  The woods moved around him distracting him from his thoughts of her. He watched the fireflies dance around the water and listened to the sound of something small roaming through the brush behind him. He sniffed the air. A beaver, dragging wood with him from the sound of it. There was the scent of something floral in the air as well. Something foreign he stood and followed the scent to the tall oak at the side of the clearing. Hanging from the low branches were bundles of twigs and stems. He flicked one with his finger the scent escaping it as it moved back and forth. A orange butterfly came out of the dark and fluttered over to the swinging bundle clamping itself to it's side. It seemed interested in dried purple flowers and even when he flicked the bundle again it did not let go. Butterfly attractor, for the garden he thought. He remembered hearing part of a conversation between the Whitstaff's about bugs. He let the scent fill his nose one last time and with the sounds of the party making their way to his ears he started walking again moving deeper into the woods in search of that quiet. 

    By the time he got back to Belle Vita the party was over. Most people had already left and those who still lingered were standing around in small groups by their cars or packing up to take off as well. He saw Sookie and Tara walking towards him. " You two heading home?"

" Yeah party's all but done and it's getting late. Where'd you run off to?" Sookie asked. 

" Went for a walk. You have a good time?" He addressed his question mainly at Sookie sense Tara wasn't really paying him any attention. She was looking over at a group of Mason's men. She was clearly nervous having them so close. 

" It was an interesting day that's for sure." Alcide nodded his head in Tara's direction. Sookie turned to look at her friend and noticing what Alcide did cut their conversations short.

 " We'll talk again soon" she whispered. 

" Tara come on let's get moving I hear my bed calling me."  Tara gave her friend a smig of a smile and they started walking. 

" You walking back to your place?" he asked concerned.

" Yep" she replied. 

" The hell they are. Not with all these fangs roaming about. Eric could still be round here to. Now bring your asses over this way and get my car." Layafette appeared behind them with Jesus and putting his arms around both girls lead them towards his car. 

Eric was here? Apparently that was the interesting part Sookie had mentioned. She looked back with a smile and a shrug and once in the car turned around in her seat and said. 

" Rebecca's in the house with Mason if you want to say goodnight to the hostess." She lost her balance and fell backward as Layafette gunned his engine and took off down the drive. 

Once in the house he heard voices coming from the library. The door was slightly ajar and their voices were low but he could tell it was just the two of them in the room. He didn't want to interrupt and was going to walk right on by but as he did he caught a glimpse of Rebecca. She was leaning against the desk the red dress she was wearing flared out around her. There was no sign of the slit that went up one side and had helped show him and everyone else so much leg while she had been dancing with Jesus. She was paying close attention to what Mason was saying. She started to speak and he stopped her with a finger and a stern shaking of his head. She was being chastised for something. She lowered her head and let him finish his thought and when he did she looked up at him her green eyes shinning and a smile slowly spread across her beautiful face. Mason tried to hold on to the toughness of his exterior but failed. As the smile spread he melted and when she reached up to him he took her into his arms and hugged her close. She said something into his ear and Mason let out a low grunting laugh. There interaction was intimate but it didn't rip at his gut the way seeing her with Jason had. It did however make him feel like a peeping tom so he stepped away from the door and went into the kitchen. From the window he watched as the different companies Rebecca had hired for the party worked quickly to clean up the back yard. They worked together like ants going back and forth in lines taking away all the evidence that a party had happened here at all. He heard the door to the library open and the sound of Mason's boots walked towards him. As he entered the kitchen he didn't seem the least bit surprised to see him standing there. 

" Hello Alcide." Mason's face said he knew Alcide had been watching. 

" Mason." he greeted in return. He tried not to look guilty. " Everything go according to plan tonight?"

" Nothing ever goes exactly as you plan Alcide but overall I believe the evening was a success. Did you enjoy yourself?"

" Yes"

" Good to here it. Now if you will excuse me I have to get with all of the vendors before they leave." He walked past Alcide and as he did so he said " If you wish to speak with her she is waiting" the door closed with a snap behind him. 

    When he went into the library she was standing near the window and did not turn away. He stood and watched her. Her face seemed tensed and she was chewing on her bottom lip. She was turing her torso in half circles the swishing from the skirt of her dress the only sound in the room. 

" Thought you left" she finally said. 

" No, couldn't leave." She turned her head to look at him. Her green eyes seemed even brighter by the light of the moon and when she fixed them on him he didn't want to look away. " Seems everyone else got the chance to dance with the hostess tonight but me. Kind of thought I got cheated a bit there and thought maybe if you were up for it I could get my dance now"

She took a few steps toward him her hands at her side. She looked sexy, sweet and willing. " But there is no music"

" Ah well I kind of thought of that" He pulled her Ipod out of his back pocket and then placed it on the the cradle she had on the desk. He fumbled with it for a minute his technology skills not nearly as sharp as they should be but finally he got it on and working. 

" I love this song"  It was one he'd heard her play several times over their days together.  " It's so perfectly sad." she was standing next to him now and he extended his hand and she moved easily into his arms. 

" I don't have the moves of Jesus" He said as he gave her a small spin. 

" No? Well the ones you have are just fine by me" She moved in closer to him and taking his hands from her waist and wrapping them around her back. He slid them upward until she was firmly enclosed in his arms. Her head came to rest on his chest and he put his on the top of hers and they moved together in slow circles around the room. She started to sing softly putting the questions the singer posed into the air around them. " Where do you go when your lonely? Where do you go when your blue? Where do you go when your lonely I'll follow you." He wanted to know the answers to those questions himself. 

" Becca" he whispered, 

" Ummmm" she pulled back and looked up at him with those wide green eyes. He didn't let himself think his way out of what he did next. He put his hands on both sides of Rebecca's face and brushed his thumbs across her cheeks. She closed her eyes and let out a soft sigh. Her lips were parted just slightly and they shined, begging to be kissed. He leaned in slowly and in the split second he hesitated she filled the gap, lifting herself up so that his lips meet hers. Soft and gentle he kissed her, her lips pressing into his as if they had always been meant to meet. The air in the room seemed to dry up and everything around him went dark. He was lightheaded and his pulse raced. He had never felt anything like it. Everything seemed so right, the way she felt pressed up against him, the sweet taste of her lips and how he felt more at ease with her than he had felt in his entire life. The moment was perfect and it scared the living shit out of him. He broke free of the embrace and stumbled backward.

 " Fuck" he said through clinched teeth. 

Why couldn't he just let it be? Why did he always question every moment? Why couldn't he just let go? Because every time he did he go burned. He let out the air in his lungs his teeth clamped tight made a hissing sound as it came out. He ran his hands through his hair and clasped them together. He felt like banging his head against the nearest wall in the hopes that maybe what was happening to him would suddenly start to make sense. When he'd been out there in the woods he had decided he was going to ask her out right about Jason and then put his own hat into the ring. If he had to fight for her then he would. Now the feel of her still buzzing across his lips he didn't know what to do. 

 She was waiting her face a mix of hurt and understanding. " Alcide whatever it is you can tell me. Whatever you want to ask me I will answer. Just tell me what it is that makes you pull away."

She offered herself up to him and he knew that no matter what he asked her she would answer and she would not lie. He knew he could tell her anything. He knew so few things in his mess of a life but he knew this was true. He knew it. He knew her. 

" It's alright Alcide." she encouraged him. 

" What is going on between you and Jason Stackhouse?" He dived straight in. 

" As of tonight nothing" she answered.

" I saw you with him:" his voice was less steady with this question. 

" Tonight?" She asked. 

Yes but not just tonight" The shook the images from his head. " I came back that night you went to Marlotte's. I saw you two together"

"OH I......." she hesitated " I'm sorry. I wish that that hadn't happened." 

" Are you seeing him?"

" No" she said emphatically. " I told him tonight that it was a one time thing. There is nothing between he and I"

" Why?" He didn't have the right to ask but he was feeling selfish and couldn't help himself. 

" He was there. I was lonely. We were drunk. He got lucky. I got stupid. There were so many different decisions that lead me to him. But that night was mine. It had nothing to do with you."

She was right. She didn't own him any explanation but his recent past was slapping him hard in the face and he had to know where he stood. 

" Guess I really shouldn't be asking you bout any of this. I just...." he didn't know what to say that wouldn't make him look like a jealous ass. 

"It's fine Alcide. I told you you could ask me anything. You want to understand what is happening and so do I. Is there anything else you want to talk about?" She searched his face and waited. 

He saw it then. She knew him to. But he couldn't make himself say anything else. " No Becca nothing else." It was time for him to go. The desire to bolt was to much. As he walked through the door she called his name. She was pleading with him to stay. 

He couldn't. 

He turned just enough to see her sadness from the corner of his eye. 

" Goodnight Rebecca." he sent back to her over his shoulder. 

As he walked down the hall he heard her speak not a goodnight to him but what sounded like she's be there waiting. He hoped he could get his shit together soon enough for that to still be true. 

REBECCA

                                                                                                                             

    She remained in the Library long after Alcide had gone. She stood stuck in the spot where he'd left her listening as his truck started up and he drove off into the night. She had expected more from the conversation but had gotten exactly what she had hoped for in the kiss. To be held by him had made her weak and to feel his lips pressing against hers.... 

She touched her fingers to her lips and replayed it in her mind. She'd never kissed a man with full on facial hair before and she had to resist pulling back (she didn't dare give him any reason not kiss her) when she found it both tickled and scratched her. His lips though were full and soft and as he pulled away his bottom lip had lingered on hers adding an extra spark to the contact. She could spend a life time sucking and biting on that perfectly pouty bottom lip. She shook the thought off and walked through the house. The lawn was now empty, all of the party goers had left and the last of the vendors were closing up their trucks and heading out as well. She waved at them when they noticed her and thanked them again. The night despite a few minor dramatics had been a success. The hiccups had gone unnoticed by most and for that she was grateful. She had gotten the riot act from Mason about Eric though she knew that he was really not that worried, that situation could be handled easily if need be. The man with the dirty mind upset her much more as she did not know who he was. She had opened herself up to Sookie and now hopefully had an alley she could count on. She had been answering a lot of questions since coming here. Her honestly quota was drying up quick. A flicker of movement behind her caught her eye and she turned on a dime energy flowing through her palms in a involuntary response. William's pale face emerged from the shadows of the porch but he did not come any closer. 

" Should I expect you to shoot fire or lightening bolts out of your hands Miss. Keane" It was an attempt at humor which in itself, coming from him was amusing but he was not to far off from what could have actually happened. She called fire just to prove a point and brought light to the lanterns that were spread around the porch. Illuminated William was far less imposing. He had not intended his silent approach to frighten her but the fact that it did put a point across from him to her as well. 

" Your powers are not so dormant any more." Mason had explained some things to William in their nightly chats. " They seem to be growing rapidly"

 " Like a weed" She murmured. Without even trying she thought. 

" Watching Eric take to the wind on sails not his own almost brought a smile to my face" Of course he would have observed that little trick.

He sat and asked if she would join him. " It has been quite a day you must be tired."

She nodded and took her seat at his side " I want to thank you for not coming inside earlier. I know it is hard for you to remove yourself from situations that involve Sookie but it really was best that you not interfere."

" Agreed." 

" What no fight?" she asked

" You were right to ask me to stay away. I am to close to it and I need to be more careful around Eric. I need to move around freely in order to find out who it is watching us. Angering Eric would make that difficult. You and Mason handled the situation competently without my assistance."

" I believe Mason enjoyed himself but don't tell him I said that. He was pissy with me inside earlier" 

" I am sure he was stern but his admonishment did not last long. He does not have it in him to stay angry with you Rebecca." 

" Ah Mr. Compton that is true and like I said I believe he had a bit of fun." 

" He is enjoying your resurgence. It makes him hopeful"

She looked at him thoughtfully. " He told you this?" Mason did not speak freely of his feelings to anyone.

" Not so frankly but in his manor of speaking yes."

As much as it frightened her she was glad she was bringing a bit of happiness to Mason. His worry about her had been a part of his life for a very long time.

She looked out at the night. Her thoughts somewhere between here and him. He wouldn't be with her tomorrow and she ached already from his lack of proximity. Every time the long lost but recently found part of her left she felt the tugging of the cord that bound them. It stretched and thinned but it did not break. It would continue to grow stronger and eventually there would be no time or space that would weaken it. She would wait until he was ready. She had already waited through most of this lifetime. Finding him had been the longest hardest part. Everything else would fall into place as the stars alined. He would be hers and she would never be without her heart again. 

" He looked back before he left. Stood where you were a moment ago and argued with himself."

" Ummmm he is conflicted." She felt his internal struggle in the library. 

" He has already fallen for you. I can see it" William paused his thoughts of his own undoing. " But he will never be able to let you in unless he can tell you what he is. Secrets destroy any love one has for another."

" Like your relationship with Sookie?" she couldn't help but tug at that nerve. Perhaps William would provide some insight on a subject he had recently become an expert on. 

" I will never forgive myself for not being completely truthful with Sookie. My intentions at first were not pure but I was bound by my Queen and I did as I was charged to do. But I fell in love with her. I am still in love with her. But my inability to tell her how I really came to be in her life has ruined any chance I will ever have to be with her. It is my biggest regret one I will have to live withfor the rest of my life. For you and Alcide to succeed you must have honesty and not just on his part Rebecca. You are aware of what he is and deep inside he knows this. He however has no clue that you are anything more than human. You need to divulge your secrets just as much as he does. Perhaps more. If you confide your truths to him he may be more willing to believe you can accept his. 

" I believe that anything said at this stage would send him running in the other direction. It may not be the right decision to keep my true nature from him but I can't chance that telling him will ensure that I loose him. I feel like I need a firmer grip on him first. To know that he will sit in a room with me and we can talk about meaningful things without worrying that he will bolt at any second. He is far to skittish. His own doubts and fears consume him. I want to put the entire deck on the table for I do not plan to ever be without Alcide by my side. But there is the matter of to much to soon."

" The window of opportunity will close rapidly. Something out of your control is bound to take place. Someone will speak out of turn and place the seed of doubt in his mind. The more people around you who know when he doesn't makes a misstep all the more possible and you will find there is no way to tell him without it seeming hollow, like a series of excuses. People with their own agenda's who want what it is you covet will revel in the chance. I hope for your sake Rebecca that you do not wait long enough for one of those people to have the opportunity to ruin what you value most. You are in love with him. Work quickly and grab hold tight to what it is you want and don't let anyone take it from you." William's loss was evident in his plea for her not to make his mistakes.

" Thank you William. I have heard all you have said. I know that it comes from a place of concern and from experience. I have to have faith that my path will not lead me astray and that at it's end I will find myself exactly where I wish to be."

        It was almost dawn now and Rebecca lay listless in her bed her mind wondering from person place and thing without much reason. Her eyes were heavy her heart burdened. The last thing she saw framed on the back of her eyelids as she finally gave in to the need for sleep was a pair of chocolate brown eyes. For the first time though the face attached to those eyes was very much human and no longer just a dream.

* All characters from True Blood and The Southern Vampire Novels are the sole property of HBO and Mrs C. Harris.